Everton manager David Moyes faces a critical final fortnight of the transfer window as the club attempts to secure key additions before the deadline.
The Prime Minister, a supporter of Everton, publicly called on club owners the Friedkin Group to complete two key deals before the transfer window closes. "Please. Sign a right back," he said, when asked what he would wish for his club. "And if we can, get Jack Grealish for at least one more year." Supporters hope Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham's lobbying can influence the American investment group before time runs out.
At the end of last season, sections of the Everton support questioned whether Moyes was the manager to resurrect the team. Everton had transformed from perennial relegation candidates to European contenders ahead of schedule, sitting seventh after Christmas. However, the team failed to win any of their final seven games, finishing 13th in the Premier League.
The initial surge in form proved unsustainable on a small squad. Moyes chose not to criticize underperforming players, recognizing their batteries were depleted. While some supporters demanded more emotion following a timid finish, the veteran manager remains determined to secure a trophy in his second spell at the club.
The Friedkin Group spent money last summer and added winger Tyrique George on loan in February, days before Jack Grealish was ruled out for the season. Moyes is now seeking further support to rebuild his squad.
Midfield Reinforcements and Squad Outgoings
Everton have signed Championship Player of the Year Hayden Hackney from Middlesbrough for £16.5 million to compensate for the loss of veteran midfielder Idrissa Gueye. The club also added 32-year-old midfielder Christian Norgaard from Arsenal for £7 million, with the Danish international eager for more playing time.
Moyes still wants a greater physical and athletic presence in midfield to support regular starters James Garner and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. Versatile midfielder Merlin Rohl has joined on a permanent basis, while Harrison Armstrong continues to stake a claim for first-team selection.
Midfielder Tim Iroegbunam is attracting transfer interest. A hamstring injury sustained during a friendly against Stuttgart has cast his proposed £18 million move to Hull City into doubt, though the injury is not thought to be serious and Hull retain interest alongside other clubs. Fellow midfielder Charly Alcaraz could also return to South America.
Attacking Options and Winger Rebuild
Everton completed the permanent signing of Tyrique George from Chelsea, negotiating a £6 million discount on the original option to buy. The club also negotiated a swap deal, exchanging winger Dwight McNeil, valued at £20 million with one year left on his contract, for Brennan Johnson, valued at £35 million with four years remaining on his contract.
Johnson brings pace to an attack that lacked directness. While Jack Grealish provided quality, his play had become predictable by checking inside rather than taking on full-backs. Similarly, 26-year-old winger Iliman Ndiaye experienced a drop in performance following his appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Ndiaye has rejected new contract offers from Everton and rebuffed a proposal from Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal. Everton were aware that Al Hilal could reach his £80 million valuation, but no official offer arrived. Ndiaye wants to remain in the Premier League, where he has admirers at Manchester United, Arsenal, and Manchester City, though he is not currently top of their target lists.
Striker Search and Youth Targets
Everton continue to create scoring opportunities, but strikers Beto and Thierno Barry have struggled with their finish. Nottingham Forest admire Beto, while RB Leipzig have monitored Barry. The 23-year-old French striker has scored three goals in pre-season, including a goal in Wednesday's 3-1 friendly victory against Newcastle.
Barry has been studying videos of Didier Drogba to improve his performance. "I know I can play, now I just need to show it," Barry said following the win over Newcastle.
Moyes desires a more effective striker before the transfer deadline. Talks are nearing completion with Manchester United for young forward Ethan Wheatley, who is viewed as a prospect for the future. Everton do not have the £55 million budget required to sign Chelsea striker Liam Delap permanently, but a late loan move could materialize if no other clubs purchase him. Nottingham Forest possess the financial backing to buy Delap outright.
Prior to Delap joining Chelsea from Ipswich, Moyes delivered an enthusiastic pitch to sign the 23-year-old forward. Agents representing Delap remarked that Moyes was so passionate about the role of a number nine at Everton that they half expected him to rip off his tracksuit to reveal a Marvel superhero suit underneath.
Winger Alternatives and Right-Back Priorities
Romantics among the fan base hope Jack Grealish will return to Hill Dickinson Stadium after his initial spell was cut short by a fractured foot. Grealish is now fit and training again, and Manchester City would be open to a compromise deal. However, concerns regarding his off-field lifestyle mean a return is not guaranteed.
Everton may give 19-year-old winger Tyler Dibling an extended opportunity to prove himself following his transfer from Southampton last summer. Leipzig are interested in Dibling, while Everton also admire Newcastle winger Jacob Murphy should they change transfer strategy.
The search for a new right-back remains a primary objective, but financial constraints limit Everton's options. Newcastle target Amar Dedic of Benfica and Strasbourg defender Guela Doue are beyond Everton's budget. Transfers for Kyle Walker, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and Brooke Norton-Cuffy have been ruled out.
Crystal Palace defender Daniel Munoz is admired but is viewed as a wing-back rather than the orthodox defender Moyes requires. Celtic defender Alistair Johnston remains under consideration depending on his recovery from injury.
Describing the difficulty of finding the right target, one football agent said: "The profile is a tall, athletic right back who knows how to defend but can get forward and falls into Everton's budget. But guess what? They're like rocking horse sh**!"
